As we prepare to find out whether the Boston Celtics can finally beat a Western Conference team on the road this season (at 0-14 so far, Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks serves as their final chance), a few pregame notes:

Rondo still not 100 percent

Sometimes, it's difficult to notice that Rajon Rondo's still recovering from ACL surgery. He has long stretches where he looks completely in control, just like last year's season-ending injury never happened. During the month of February, he averaged 15.3 points, 9.9 assists and 5.1 rebounds with 48.5 percent shooting. He looked great.

But since, Rondo has struggled a bit. He's still racking up assists (as always), but his shots won't fall and his finishing near the rim remains at career-low levels. He has said he still feels soreness on the day after games, which is why he isn't expected to play in the second leg of back-to-backs for the rest of the season.

Though Rondo wouldn't use the injury as an excuse after a 3-for-14 shooting night against New Orleans, head coach Brad Stevens told reporters Monday night that his star doesn't yet feel 100 percent.

Brad Stevens on Rajon Rondo: "I still don't think he feels or is 100 percent back. I don't think there's any question about that."

With Rondo sitting out the second leg of a back-to-back Monday, as expected, Avery Bradley will start alongside Jerryd Bayless in the Celtics backcourt. Given Bradley's recent injury and Bayless' midseason acquisition, it comes as no surprise that they haven't played much together -- just 84 minutes, according to NBA.com.

Phil Pressey has drawn several starts in Rondo's place, but A) Stevens wants to stagger the minutes of his two standing point guards (Bayless and Pressey), and B) Bradley always figured to get reinserted into the starting lineup at some point, so Monday (after he was pretty good Sunday, and with Rondo out) makes sense. I assume Bradley will remain a starter moving forward, with Bayless headed back to the bench. But I could be wrong there.

As for Pressey ... more of this off the bench, please, young man:

Mavericks coming off dominant performance

Dallas, which ranks fourth in offensive efficiency and 23rd in defensive efficiency, smacked the Thunder 109-86 in Oklahoma City on Sunday. So that means the Mavericks are due to .... lose to the Celtics by 19?